The top reported proficiency rate is 27% in English language arts. The lowest is 13% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on S.j. Montgomery Elementary School
S.J. Montgomery Elementary School serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Lafayette, Louisiana, as part of the Lafayette Parish school system. This is a regular public school with a sizable enrollment, drawing children from a broad swath of the surrounding community. The student body is diverse, with just over half of students identifying as Black, about a quarter as Hispanic, and smaller shares as white, multiracial, or Asian. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, indicating that many families face economic challenges.
Lafayette itself is the economic and cultural center of Acadiana, home to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, a major healthcare sector anchored by Ochsner Health, and a mix of technology, banking, and energy employers. The city is predominantly car-dependent, though a walkable downtown around Jefferson Street offers restaurants and music venues. Housing in the area is moderately priced relative to national averages, and the local economy has shown steady diversification beyond its historic oil-and-gas base.
On the most recent state assessments, given through Louisiana's LEAP 2025 program, Montgomery Elementary's students reached proficiency at rates that land below the midpoint when compared to other Louisiana public schools. In English language arts, a modest share of students scored at the proficient level or above. Math proficiency was lower, and proficiency rates in science and social studies were particularly low. The school had full participation in testing, so the results reflect the performance of nearly every enrolled student in tested grades. These numbers suggest that many students are working below grade-level expectations, and a parent may want to ask the school what academic supports and interventions are in place. There is only a single year of assessment data available from this source, so it is not possible to say whether performance has been trending in a particular direction.
The school’s specific programs and course offerings were not described in the available data. There was no information on whether Montgomery Elementary offers gifted programming, arts or music instruction, foreign language classes, or extended learning time. Parents seeking a fuller picture of enrichment opportunities and daily curriculum should contact the school directly. Lafayette Parish as a district did not have any recent major changes publicly reported that would affect the school’s operations, and no strategic initiatives or redistricting plans were identified in the search.
Because Montgomery Elementary does not serve students beyond fifth grade, there is no graduation rate to consider. The school’s discipline environment, chronic absenteeism rate, and staffing ratios were also not provided, so it is not possible to assess those dimensions from the data at hand. These are common gaps for an elementary school, but a parent exploring the school may want to ask about class sizes, teacher retention, and how the school handles behavior and attendance.
The school's location on Foreman Drive places it within the Lafayette city limits, but the specific neighborhood context around the school was not detailed in the available information. The broader Lafayette Parish school system serves the entire city and surrounding parish, so school assignment will depend on the family's address.
This is an elementary school where the core academic results indicate a need for improvement, and where many students come from low-income households. A family considering Montgomery Elementary would likely want to learn more about the school’s reading and math intervention strategies, the availability of tutoring or after-school programs, and how the school engages with parents to support student progress. Without information on enrichment and elective offerings, families should also verify that the school provides the range of experiences they are hoping for in the elementary years.
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